Behind Infinity

When I was little, I had a very good friend. We had a standing appointment every morning at 9 EST when we would get together to talk, sing, and play make-believe. He taught me some very important things about life, everything from sharing to what to do when I get angry to how bass cellos are made. I called him Neighbor.

When we weren’t together I would talk to him and pretend that he was there. I would say stuff and my mom would answer, and I would scowl and say, “NO! I’m talking to Neighbor!” And she would have to answer again, doing her very best imitation of Neighbor.

Fred Rogers was truly the best ever, and I miss him a lot. I think life would be a lot better if I could only still start the morning with a bowl of froot loops and a visit with Neighbor.

In one of his songs, Mr. Rogers said,

“It’s not easy to keep trying,
But it’s one good way to grow.
It’s not easy to keep learning,
But I know that this is so:
When you’ve tried and learned,
You’re bigger than you were a day ago.

You’ve got to do it. Every little bit,
you’ve got to do it, do it, do it,
and when you’re through,
You can know who did it.
For you did it, you did it, you did it.”

Back in the day when Mr. Rogers and I sang this song, we were dealing with all-important things like shoe-tying and picking up the toys and learning to write our name. But when I came upon this song again recently, it was still comforting and applicable. In 2007, I did a lot of “keep trying” and learning and doing. Sometimes, things were great. But sometimes things were really discouraging and difficult. Sometimes the difficulty was caused by circumstance, sometimes by other people, sometimes by my ownself. But I made it through (with God’s strength, not my own), and I am “bigger” than I was before.

I look forward to more trying and learning and growing in 2008.

Happy new year, everybody.

Today I drove down to Indiana to see my friend Marielle, hang out with her herd of brown Arabs, and bring home the ultimate souvenir–a little bay arab of my very own named Star.

So here are TONS of pictures of our day seeing as we are both camera-holics!

^The trip down took me about 2.5 hours. This was the longest solo trip I’ve ever made with a trailer and I was pretty nervous, but it went all right. I only missed one turn but I didn’t get lost (yay!) and I was very glad to finally arrive Marielle’s barn.

^the farm is a magical place with chestnut and bay Arabs and half arabs EVERYWHERE. They just kind of roam free, around the place. It’s pretty adorable. This is Marielle and some of her friends.

^here comes the herd.

^After meeting the herd she took me on a tour of the beautiful property. Seeing as it was cold and yuckie we took the utility vehicle instead of riding. This is a particularly beautiful spot on the farm (Although there were many particularly beautiful spots.)

^After getting back to the barn, we tacked up and rode. First I rode Buckwheat, Marielle’s CP gelding, and she rode Melody. Then we switched, and I got a chance to ride Mel. She is so tiny and delicate and sensitive, it’s quite the feeling, let me tell you! Marielle has done a great job with her and they have an obvious bond. Unfortunately, we didn’t get any pictures on those two (because we were to busy riding). But then we put them away and saddled up Star. I had Marielle ride first so I could see her (pictured here).

^then I got on. She was a sweet little ride and has such a smooth trot. She’d make a great WP horse!

^love this photo, Marielle.

^(”Hey Mom, whatcha doin?” Says Maebelline.) After we rode starwe set up some jumps so that Maebelline could strut her stuff. And she did strut, let me tell you! She is one talented and showy little girl! She and Marielle will do great things (once Marielle makes the hard decision of WHAT to do….)

Here is a video of Mae jumping:

^I think this photo of Marielle & Maebelline is adorable.

^unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and I had to make the hard decision to head home, because it’s a long drive. So we loaded up. Star hopped RIGHT in, it was hilarious and adorable. I am used to more of a fight because Jezebelle likes to make a big “production” out of loading. Hopefully we will work that out this summer.

^Star’s buddies wonder where she’s going.

^Saying goodbyes.

^The ride home was uneventful and quick, and we were greeted at home by excited people and adorable welcome home signs.

^My dad and my sister say hello. Star will definitely be a family horse, and I think she’ll do the job admirably. She seems so friendly and forgiving.

^Star with her welcome home signs. How cute.

^It was pretty warm out tonight so even Jamison came out to the barn (for the first time!) and met the horsies.

It was a very long, very exciting, very happy day, and I am tired. Thank you, Marielle, for “having me over” to meet your horsies, and for giving me such a great and generous gift in Star. I cannot wait to begin working with her and trail riding with family and friends and *really* teaching my sisters to care for and ride their own horse. My family thanks you too.

Earlier this week Carrie came over and she and I recorded some stuff, just for fun and giggles.

This one was our favorite. We had a lot of fun with it. We hope you do too.

Brittany on violin, Carrie on Piano: Joy to the World

…this happened.

Last night we had 100 mile SSE gusts of wind shaking the house and wreaking havoc on the trees, yards, and outbuildings. I guess I’m thankful that this was the only damage my barn sustained. Apparently many people in the city are without power, too. Yuckie.

The barn is the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning. Generally this is happy, but today, it was not such a happy awakening. Adding insult to injury is the fact that Dad and I carefully laid each and every one of those shingles…it’s like the wind didn’t rip apart my shingles, it ripped apart my very heart. Nature is so cruel!
When I got outside I also found that the tarp over my hay had ripped free of its cinder-block tiedowns, exposing about 25 bales of the precious stuff to the cruel elements. Hopefully the weather stays cold now for at least a month so I can get it all fed before it starts to mold.

By the time I got inside I was in a really, really black mood and almost didn’t go to church, but I did anyway because sitting at home moping wouldn’t have done much good anyway. As it turned out, going was (as always) a good decision, as the service was very uplifting. Just as we began the second song, the lights sputtered out and the congregation was left in blackness for a split second before the emergency lights came on. After a moment of confusion, we continued to sing, and finished the service out in spite of the power outage. Pastor Dale did a very good job even though he couldn’t see his notes and had to shout without his microphone.

Now, it is blizzard-conditions and I will go out and do chores before heading back to church. Yippee for michigan weather….